New Delhi, May 9
Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora’s house was raided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), triggering a blistering attack from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on BJP and PM Narendra Modi. Calling the raids a political warning to Punjab, he said BJP and PM Modi are trying to challenge Punjab through ED, but Punjab had neither bowed in the past nor would bow now.
Invoking Punjab’s history of resistance, the AAP Chief asserted that the land of the Gurus had once answered Aurangzeb and would now answer PM Modi in the 2027 elections as well. He shared that raids were conducted simultaneously at the homes of Ashok Mittal and Sanjeev Arora. While the raids stopped after Ashok Mittal joined BJP, ED returned once again after Sanjeev Arora refused to do so.
Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal stated, “Since this morning, ED raids have been going on at the house of minister in AAP-led Punjab Government Sanjeev Arora. The job of ED is to stop and investigate money laundering happening anywhere in the country. If ED carries out its action with that purpose, we have no problem with it. But what we have seen is that ever since ‘Modi Raj’ (PM Modi’s regime) came to power, CBI no longer works to stop corruption in this country and ED no longer works to stop money laundering. They only work to break other parties, intimidate and threaten their leaders, and force them to join the BJP.”
The AAP Chief stated, “The action taking place at Sanjeev Arora’s house since morning is also in the same direction. ED has not come to Sanjeev Arora’s house to investigate any money laundering. This is the second ED raid at Sanjeev Arora’s premises within the last one month. ED had come once on 17 April as well. They raided all his premises in Gurugram, Ludhiana and Delhi. The raids continued for three days. What was it that they could not find during those three days and have come looking for today?”
Referring to pressure to join BJP, Kejriwal continued, “At the same time, raids were conducted at Ashok Mittal’s premises too. Raids continued there for three days as well. After those three days of raids, Ashok Mittal joined BJP. The raids stopped there and his entire matter was settled. Sanjeev Arora did not join BJP. That day, immense pressure was put on him to join BJP. Had he joined BJP that day, ED would not have raided today. Today’s ED raid has happened to teach him a lesson for not joining BJP. Either join BJP or get arrested.”
The AAP Chief asserted that it is extremely unfortunate how agencies are being misused under the ‘Modi Raj’. “PM Modi is especially targeting Punjab. The people of Punjab are being pushed. Injustice is being done to the people of Punjab. Attempts are being made to crush the people of Punjab. Over the last four years, PM Modi first tried to bring the three ‘black’ farm laws in Punjab. PM Modi had to bow before the protest of Punjab’s farmers. For the last four years, thousands of crores meant for rural development and for building village roads connected to mandis have been stopped by the Prime Minister,” he added.
“Attempts were made to take over Panjab University. There are attempts to snatch Chandigarh away from Punjab and transfer it to Haryana. Attempts are being made to rob Punjab’s waters. There are attempts to capture the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). There are countless such instances where the central government and PM Modi are wronging the people of Punjab,” Kejriwal said.
Targeting ED actions in Punjab, Kejriwal added, “For the last few days, there has only been one headline every day. Today ED raided here, today ED raided there. As soon as the Bengal elections ended, the entire Delhi team of ED and the central teams shifted to Punjab. Their objective is not to find black money or investigate money laundering.”
